Hello everyone.
Summer is here in the USA, and most excitedly …in Montana! A common joke here is that “we have two seasons in Montana: winter and visitors”. It’s almost true. We are no enjoying some of the best weather for the whole year, and possibly in the whole world 😉
June always brings other transition into our lives; time certainly wings by. Eden has now finished her sophomore year (10th grade) and Joel has finished his first two years of college here in Kalispell. As Eden begins her Junior year of High School in August, Joel will have moved to Bozeman Montana to attend Montana State University for his final two years of college. We are very proud of these two students of ours. High character, eyes on God, and a joy to have them both with us at home (for now ☹.
Samuel and Kinley are now settled in Oklahoma City in their own place, both with jobs where they have become valuable and trusted employees. It is truly amazing to see how much a good work ethic and character is valued in the workforce today. Just basic responsibility, integrity and a good attitude opens doors and secures favor. They are both people like this and see where they work as their personal mission spheres.
Life and work at YWAM has been very full, but with a couple of significant changes. As you may be aware, I (Jeremy) have recently handed over my DTS Director role to a younger couple here in Montana. I felt that I had accomplished what I needed to and was asked to do, but the time had come for younger people, as well as a different set of giftings, to take the reins. Our schools are running with excellence, and teams continue to go out regularly all over the world.
As a campus we have recently committed to a 3-year initiative in Papua New Guinea, focusing on beginning the translation of 33 languages in a region (Madang), into their “oral mother tongue”. This is different to a longer written translation, which will hopefully come later. And it is different to the local pidgin language that is used in many areas. The mother tongue of a person/group is the language they use at home, in their tribe, in their heart. What they are born into and recognize as their first and most personal language. In PNG so many of these don’t exist in written form, and in many cases the tribal people are illiterate. But to hear the word of God in their own mother tongues, truth that blesses and transcends all cultures and nations, is profound in its impact and receival. Molly is especially passionate about the Word of God and providing access to all languages, so she is likely to be more involved in the near future.
We recently sent our first MT DTS team to the area with fantastic success. We’re partnering with the YWAM Ship “Liberty”, which focusses on oral translation teams and medical teams. The area of Madang is difficult to reach by land, and the many coastal villages and tribes are accessible only from shore. This makes ship-based work (via Zodiacs) ideal. We also sent teams into Taiwan and Cambodia. The last several months have been busy and fruitful! I have included some statistics below for interest’s sake. While we truly don’t obsess over numbers (every single individual, family, village is precious) it does give us an idea of what is being effective and helps give a quick idea of what our teams do.
As I write this, I am in Santa Cruz CA teaching in a small DTS. YWAM has recently pioneered a new work here. It is a very new age, secular, and at times anti-Christian society here. However, the churches are very united and very active, and there is a true sense of another grass-roots revival on the horizon. The people want truth and yes, even God! These young YWAMers are doing a fantastic job being bold, faithful, and full of vision for their community. Enough writing and reading for now! We are leaving soon for an afternoon of ministry to the homeless!
Enjoy a few pics of life and ministry from the Westside at the bottom. We are grateful for all of you as friends and partners. We do it together!
Recent school stats:
Fall DTS Outreach: Dec-Feb. 3 outreach teams: two to Taiwan, one to Cambodia
- 29 Bibles distributed
- 6 healings
- 495 individuals received prayer 1-on-1
- 1449 people heard the gospel shared directly
- 140 people made commitments to follow Jesus
Winter DTS Outreach: Mar-May. 3 outreach teams: tow to Taiwan, one Papua New Guinea
PNG stats:
- 9 village visits
- 1,194 people heard the Gospel (350 through the showing of the Jesus Film)
- 361 people prayed for
- 6 healings
- 434 bibles given
- 86 salvations
Taiwan stats:
- 12 salvations
- Taught in 15 schools (3000 students)
- 300 + people prayed for
- 300+ heard the Gospel
PHOTOS from Canta Cruz DTS, and PNG DTS Outreach (click for detail):
GoWests! 